Study: Global warming could affect quality of life

By Felicia Mello, Globe Correspondent | July 11, 2007

Put away your sled, get out the inhaler and forget about that lobster
pie. A new report by some of the region's top climate scientists forecasts
widespread changes in New Englanders' quality of life over the next century
if global warming continues at its current pace.

In Boston, more frequent heat waves and a fourfold increase in days
with poor air quality could endanger the elderly and children, says the
study, the most detailed projection yet of the effects of climate change on
the Northeast.

Rising temperatures could harm Massachusetts fisheries,
while the state's heat-stressed cows could produce up to 12 percent less
milk in the summer if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced.
The number of days snow covers the ground each year could decrease by more than half
throughout New England by 2100, forcing many winter resorts to close.

''Global warming represents an enormous challenge, but we can meet it
if we act swiftly,'' said Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy at
the Union of Concerned Scientists, which produced the report in
collaboration with dozens of climate experts, other scientists and
economists. ''Our response to global warming in the next few years will
shape the climate our children and grandchildren inherit.''

Average annual temperatures across the Northeast have increased by
close to two degrees since 1970--and winter temperatures by more than four
degrees--part of a worldwide warming trend. Scientists say the warming is
likely due in part to emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases from cars and power plants. The pollutants linger in the earth's
atmosphere, causing the air to trap more heat.

While previous studies have used climate models to predict regional
weather changes in the coming decades, the report marks one of the few
times researchers have tried to identify how the warming could affect the
economies of specific states.